Situation Update

Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management
Situation Update 3
December 28, 2015 11:30 a.m.

Due to the hazardous weather conditions, the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated. OEM is in contact with emergency managers across the state and coordinating with numerous agencies and organizations including the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma National Guard, National Weather Service, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for all of central and northeast Oklahoma until 6 pm today. Total sleet and snow accumulations up to 2 inches are possible in the advisory area. Precipitation will continue across eastern Oklahoma for several more hours. All precipitation will exit the state later today. Cold temperatures will blanket the state tonight through Wednesday with low temperatures in the teens and highs in the 30s.

Widespread strong winds occurred across the state on Sunday. Some notable wind speeds from the Oklahoma Mesonet are 71 mph at Medicine Park, 66 mph at Hollis, 64 mph at Nowata and 62 mph at Walters. Elsewhere wind gusts of 40-50 mph were common. Significant rainfall occurred across a large part of eastern Oklahoma with numerous areas receiving 6-12 inches of rain since Saturday. Some notable amounts are 11.75 inches at Tahlequah, 11.37 inches at Talihina, 10.61 inches at Wilburton and 10.53 inches at Centrahoma. The greatest rain occurred east of a line from Nowata to Ardmore.

The Illinois River at Tahlequah is in record flood stage with the most current reading of 28.51 feet and expected crest of 29 feet. The prior record was 27.9 feet.

The State of Emergency declared by Gov. Mary Fallin on November 29 remains in effect for all 77 counties. Under the Executive Order, state agencies can make emergency purchases and acquisitions needed to expedite the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions. The declaration also marks a first step toward seeking federal assistance should it be necessary.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health reports 56 storm-related injuries have been treated by Oklahoma hospitals.

Falls: 23

Transportation related: 20

Carbon monoxide poisoning: 9

Other: 4

American Red Cross reports a shelter remains open for stranded motorists and others at Pioneer Room, 1212 9th Street in Woodward. Seven people stayed in the shelter overnight.

An additional American Red Cross Shelter is open at Kansas High School at 700 N. Woods Avenue in Little Kansas, Oklahoma.

The following warming stations are operated by American Red Cross:

• First Baptist Church at 1600 W. Country Club in Elk City
• The Non-Profit Center at 114 S. Independence Street in Enid (opens at noon)

The following warming stations are operated by The Salvation Army:

• 516 N. Independence Avenue in Enid
• 318 E. Hayes in Norman
• 1001 N. Pennsylvania in Oklahoma City

Grady County Emergency Management reports a warming station opens at noon today at Bible Baptist Church, 226 South 29th Street in Chickasha.

Teams are positioned in the affected areas to assist stranded motorists. The teams are comprised of members of the Oklahoma National Guard, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Altus Emergency Management is asking customers of Altus Water to conserve water for the next 24 hours due to a power outage at Tom Steed Reservoir.

Cherokee County Emergency Management reports multiple water rescues have occurred along the Illinois River Basin area since last night.

Kingfisher County Emergency Management reports the city of Kingfisher is without power. Generators are being delivered to power Kingfisher County Rural Water District and a warming station.

Wagoner County Emergency Management reports high winds caused roof damage, and power outages overnight.

Woodward County Emergency Management reports 20 vehicle rescues have occurred since yesterday.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports nearly 200,000 power outages statewide.

Municipal Electric Utilities – Total: 10,838

Kingfisher: 2,266
Pond Creek: 630
Watonga: 767
Newkirk: 1386
Okeene: 643
Waynoka: 1562
Granite: 621
Frederick: 1,900
Geary: 675
Manitou: 93
Olustee: 295

PSO – Total: 53,899

Largest outage areas:

Lawton – 16,789
Tuttle, Elgin, Cyril, Chickasha, Binger areas – 9,784
Weatherford, Hinton, Thomas, Colony – 9,491
Carnegie, Hobart, Lone Wolf, Sentinel, Mountain View, Dill City,
Roosevelt, Gotebo, Granite - 5,984
Altus, Snyder, Hollis, Tipton, Duke, Headrick – 4,187
Erick, Canute, Cheyenne, Leedey, Elk City, Butler, Carter – 3,243
Clinton, Custer, Foss – 2,931
Bartlesville, Shidler, Hominy – 450
Tulsa, Sand Springs – 230
Chelsea, Bird Hollow, Vinita – 199
Jay, Afton – 152
Pryor, Locust Grove – 102

OG&E – Total: 54,201

Largest outage areas:

Yukon - 14,594
Oklahoma City - 11,334
El Reno - 5,346
Piedmont - 4,194
Mustang - 3,778
Muskogee - 1,809
Mead -1,179
Hennessey - 1,136
Waukomis - 1,041
Southard - 1,028
Enid - 1,018
Del City - 1,017

The Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives reports 80,278 outages:

Alfalfa Electric Cooperative = 2,812
Caddo Electric Cooperative = 17,865
Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative = 31
Cimarron Electric Cooperative = 11,168
Cotton Electric Cooperative = 9,971
Central Rural Electric Cooperative = 1,262
Kiwash Electric Cooperative = 6,400
Indian Electric Cooperative = 623
Kay Electric Cooperative = 4,967
Lake Region Electric Cooperative = 945
Northeast Electric Cooperative = 416
Northwestern Electric Cooperative = 365
Oklahoma Electric Cooperative = 9,108
People’s Electric Cooperative = 12
Red River Valley Electric Cooperative = 69
Tri-County Electric Cooperative = 1
Verdigris Valley Electric Cooperative = 13
Northfork Electric Cooperative = 4,000
SW Rural Electric Cooperative = 8,500
Harmon Electric Cooperative = 1,750

Travel is discouraged and remains hazardous in western and central Oklahoma, and continues to worsen in some areas as additional precipitation coats highways again. Additionally, downed power lines due to ice are becoming a hazard across much of central Oklahoma, causing some road closures.

Slick and hazardous conditions remain in Woodward, Harper and Ellis counties. SH-50B is closed between US-270 and US-412 while US-60 is one lane in areas west of Arnett to the Texas state line. I-40 in western Oklahoma remains slick and hazardous. Freezing precipitation falling this morning is impacting I-35 in Cleveland County and near Purcell. Extreme caution should be used on bridges and overpasses.

Oklahoma Department of Transportation crews continue emergency clearance operations and drivers are urged to check conditions and delay any unnecessary travel. Drivers should check conditions and plan ahead for extra travel time if necessary. Be alert to ODOT crews salting and sanding highways and stay at least 200 feet behind their equipment.

In eastern Oklahoma, numerous highways remain closed due to flooding. Motorists should use extreme caution as many areas are reporting heavy fog and mist. ODOT recommends drivers check their new interactive highway conditions map at www.okroads.org or call 1-844-4OKHWYS (844-465-4997) to “Know B4 U Go.”

For Oklahoma residents seeking non-emergency disaster or health and human service information, please contact your local 2-1-1. Services are available 24 hours a day by dialing 2-1-1 from your home or cellular telephone. Please only call 911 for emergencies.

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